Page:Memoir upon the negotiations between Spain and the United States of America which led to the treaty of 1819.djvu/30

20 of innocent victims, at other times the infliction of the most cruel torments, the monsters who committed these crimes have escaped with impunity, and have triumphantly paraded through the ports and cities of the United States.

From the first official representations which I made to the American government upon these excesses, and the protection which the cruizers and vessels of our revolted colonists enjoyed in every port of the Union, it was answered "that the authorities and tribunals of the country watched over the observance of the laws, and that the President had adopted an impartial system of neutrality, with regard to the conflict between Spain and America; that the officers of the customs had orders to admit every species of vessel, without regard to the character or circumstances of her flag, provided the established duties were paid, and the peace and good order of the country not disturbed; and that in cases of trespass or violation of the law, recourse should be had to the magistrates and tribunals of justice, and not to the Executive." The result of the suits brought by the Spanish consuls before the American judges and tribunals, was, in general, a confirmation of the robbery, and the triumphant impunity of its authors.

When I appealed to the government for the exercise of its authority, and the observance of the constitutional laws of the United States, against the